A nurse assesses a client who had a myocardial infarction and is hypotensive.Which additional assessment finding should the nurse expect?

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When a client experiences hypotension,baroreceptors in the aortic arch sense a pressure decrease in the vessels.The parasympathetic system responds by lessening the inhibitory effect on the sinoatrial node.This results in an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate.This tachycardia is an early response and is seen even when blood pressure is not critically low.An increased heart rate and respiratory rate will compensate for the low blood pressure and maintain oxygen saturations and perfusion.The client may not be able to compensate for long,and decreased oxygenation and cool,clammy skin will occur later.

A Nurse Assesses a Client Who Had a Myocardial Infarction